JP2005095374A - Ultrasonic oral cavity cleaning implement - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic oral cavity cleaning implement which has a liquid reservoir section, and in addition, is equipped with the liquid reservoir section which is hard to present a state wherein there is no liquid in the liquid reservoir section because the liquid reserved in the liquid reservoir section for one time flows out by a large amount to the outside, and of which the ultrasonic wave generating section is hard to destroy. <P>SOLUTION: An ultrasonic toothbrush 100 is formed into a cylindrical shape, and is equipped with a chemical holding section 174 of which the distal end side is opened by an opening 174K, and which can hold a chemical in a liquid holding space SL inside, and the ultrasonic generating section 161 which is arranged on the proximal end side, and has an ultrasonic irradiation surface 163H for irradiating the chemical with an ultrasonic wave by coming into contact with the chemical. The chemical holding cylinder 174 has a shape wherein the cross sectional area of the liquid holding space SL at the distal end part is smaller than the cross sectional area of the liquid holding space SL at the proximal end part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic oral cleaning tool that is inserted into the oral cavity and cleans the oral cavity using ultrasonic waves generated from an ultrasonic wave generator. Specifically, the ultrasonic wave is passed through a liquid such as water or a chemical solution. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic oral cleaning tool that irradiates teeth, gums, and the like to clean the oral cavity.

Conventionally, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the like, an ultrasonic toothbrush that generates ultrasonic waves from the head part of a toothbrush, removes plaque and the like, and cleans the oral cavity is known.
Among these, the toothbrush described in Patent Document 1 transmits ultrasonic waves to the tooth surface via the hair and dentifrice planted on the head, and removes soft plaque on the tooth surface.
On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, a space in which the cleaning water easily collects is formed in the head portion of the toothbrush, and the cleaning water is supplied to this space, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted through the accumulated cleaning water to remove plaque and the like. Is.

JP 7-509151A JP-A-9-206130

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, since the ultrasonic energy reaches the surface of the tooth only through the hair or the dentifrice, the ultrasonic wave transmitted through the hair is actually attenuated on the way to the tooth. The energy cannot be transmitted sufficiently. In addition, toothpaste or a mixture of a toothpaste and saliva or water contains a large amount of bubbles, so that ultrasonic energy cannot be sufficiently transmitted to the tooth surface through these. Therefore, the cleaning effect was limited.

  On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 2, in the case where ultrasonic energy is transmitted through a liquid such as cleaning water, the ultrasonic energy can be efficiently transmitted to teeth and gums with little attenuation.

By the way, in the toothbrush described in Patent Document 2, when a liquid such as cleaning water is accumulated in the space, the liquid becomes a load of the ultrasonic generator. For this reason, the vibration of the ultrasonic generator is suppressed and the ultrasonic generator is not destroyed.
However, during use, before use, or after use, while the ultrasonic generator is generating ultrasonic waves, the liquid that has been stored in this part for some reason, such as turning down the part where the liquid is stored Flows out and the ultrasonic wave generator surface is exposed to the air, the ultrasonic generator is driven without load. For this reason, a large vibration is generated in the ultrasonic generator, which may cause destruction of the piezoelectric element of the ultrasonic generator.
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has a liquid reservoir, and a state in which a large amount of liquid once accumulated in the liquid reservoir flows out to the outside and there is no liquid from the liquid reservoir. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic oral cleaning tool that is provided with a liquid reservoir portion that is difficult to be damaged and is difficult to destroy the ultrasonic wave generating portion.

  The solution is a liquid reservoir part that has a cylindrical shape and is open at the distal end side so that the liquid can be held in the internal liquid holding space, and an ultrasonic wave generation part that is disposed on the base end side of the liquid reservoir part. And an ultrasonic wave generating surface that has an ultrasonic radiation surface that comes into contact with the held liquid when the liquid is held in the liquid reservoir portion, and emits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic radiation surface. The part is an ultrasonic oral cleaning tool having a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the distal end is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the base end.

As described above, in the ultrasonic oral cleaning device having the liquid reservoir, when the liquid is accumulated in the liquid reservoir and the liquid is in contact with the ultrasonic radiation surface, the liquid is loaded on the ultrasonic generator. It becomes. For this reason, the vibration of the ultrasonic wave generation unit is suppressed, and the ultrasonic vibration can be appropriately caused without causing the vibration element or the like to be broken.
However, when the liquid flows out from the liquid reservoir and disappears, the ultrasonic wave generator is driven with no load. For this reason, there is a possibility that the vibration element of the ultrasonic wave generating part generates a large amount of heat, and the bonded portion between the vibration element and the vibration plate is broken or the vibration element is broken.

In contrast, in the ultrasonic oral cleaning tool of the present invention, the shape of the cylindrical liquid reservoir is set so that the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the distal end is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the proximal end. Yes. That is, with regard to the liquid holding space, the distal end portion has a tapered shape as compared with the proximal end portion. The cleaning tool of the present invention has a liquid reservoir having a liquid holding space having such a shape inside.
Therefore, compared to a liquid reservoir portion having the same cross-sectional shape in the axial direction, such as a cylindrical shape, and having the same cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the base end portion, the liquid reservoir portion according to the present invention has a distal end. The cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space in the part is reduced. For this reason, the liquid such as the chemical solution once stored in the liquid holding space is unlikely to flow out from the opening of the tip portion, and the liquid is easily held in the liquid storage portion.
Thus, even if the user points the tip of the liquid reservoir downward while using this cleaning tool, the liquid is retained in the liquid retention space in the liquid reservoir, so the ultrasonic generator is driven without load. Is prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent destruction and performance deterioration due to no-load driving of the ultrasonic wave generation unit.
In addition, in a cylindrical shape such as a cylindrical shape with the same cross-sectional shape in the axial direction, the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the distal end is higher than that at the same in the liquid reservoir according to the cleaning tool of the present invention. Since the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space is increased and the ultrasonic radiation surface in contact with the liquid holding space can be increased, it is easy to generate strong ultrasonic waves using an ultrasonic generator having a larger diameter.

  The liquid reservoir may have a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the distal end is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the base end, but the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic radiation surface It is preferable that the wall surface of the liquid reservoir is positioned around an axis perpendicular to the ultrasonic radiation surface so that the liquid can be radiated from the opening at the tip of the liquid reservoir linearly in a direction perpendicular to the surface. . By doing so, at least a part of the proceeding ultrasonic wave can reach the opening at the tip directly without being reflected by the inner wall surface of the liquid reservoir, so that the intensity of the ultrasonic wave radiated from the opening can be increased. Because. As this specific shape, a multi-stage cylindrical shape such as a two-stage cylindrical shape, a funnel type having a tapered portion and a cylindrical portion, a shape in which two cylindrical portions are connected by a tapered taper, and the whole gradually Examples include a tapered taper shape, a two-step taper shape, and the like.

In addition, as a material for the liquid reservoir, an elastic body such as silicone having soft rubber-like elasticity can be used. Alternatively, the liquid reservoir can be formed of a cylindrical sponge. A supply port for supplying a chemical solution, a cleaning solution, water, or the like may be provided in the liquid reservoir.
In addition, as the ultrasonic wave generation unit, any ultrasonic wave generation unit capable of generating an ultrasonic wave having a desired frequency and intensity may be used. For example, an ultrasonic vibrator in which a vibration element such as a piezoelectric element is bonded to a vibration plate made of metal or resin can be used.

  Furthermore, in the ultrasonic oral cleaning tool, the liquid reservoir includes at least a tapered portion having an inner wall shape in which a cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space decreases toward the tip side. And good.

In the cleaning tool of the present invention, the liquid reservoir is provided with an ultrasonic wave generator that generates ultrasonic waves on the base end side. Accordingly, as the liquid reservoir, the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave generator is generated at the tip of the liquid reservoir while the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the tip is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the base end. It is preferable to transmit efficiently to the side so that a stronger ultrasonic wave can be emitted from the opening of the tip.
Therefore, in the cleaning tool of the present invention, the inner wall shape of the liquid reservoir portion is tapered at the portion where the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space becomes smaller toward the tip side. Thereby, the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave generation unit can be efficiently transmitted to the tip side of the liquid reservoir.

In the tapered portion, the internal liquid holding space has a shape such as a truncated cone shape or a truncated pyramid shape.
In the tapered portion, the angle formed between the inner wall surface and a plane parallel to the ultrasonic radiation surface of the ultrasonic wave generator may be a shape exceeding 45 degrees. If this angle exceeds 45 degrees, the ultrasonic wave traveling in the direction orthogonal to the ultrasonic radiation surface will travel in the tip direction even if it is reflected once by the inner wall surface of the tapered portion of the liquid reservoir. It is.
Further, it is preferable that the angle formed by the inner wall surface and the plane parallel to the ultrasonic radiation surface of the ultrasonic wave generation unit exceeds 60 degrees. If this angle exceeds 60 degrees, the ultrasonic wave traveling in the direction orthogonal to the ultrasonic radiation surface will travel in the direction of the tip even if reflected twice by the inner wall surface of the tapered portion of the liquid reservoir. It is.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the tip side has a shape in which an angle formed by the inner wall surface and a surface parallel to the ultrasonic wave emission surface of the ultrasonic wave generation portion gradually increases (a shape having a convex inner wall surface on the inside). This is because the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave tends to travel to the tip side.

  Furthermore, in the ultrasonic oral cleaning tool according to any one of the above, it is preferable that at least a tip of the liquid reservoir is an ultrasonic oral cleaning tool made of a rubber-like elastic resin.

  The cleaning tool of the present invention is inserted into the oral cavity, and when the liquid reservoir is inserted into the oral cavity, the tip of the liquid reservoir is a part that directly contacts teeth and gums. Therefore, by forming at least the tip of the liquid reservoir portion with a resin having rubber-like elasticity, the tip portion is appropriately deformed and is in close contact with the teeth and gums. The liquid can be held securely. In addition, the user can feel soft when touching teeth and gums, and the usability can be improved.

  The rubber-like elastic resin that forms at least the tip of the liquid reservoir may be any resin that exhibits rubber-like elasticity. For example, silicone, urethane rubber, chloroprene rubber, etc. that exhibit rubber-like elasticity may be used. Can be mentioned.

The liquid reservoir may be entirely formed of a rubber-like elastic resin such as silicone.
However, the portion excluding the distal end portion, for example, the base end portion, can be made of a material that is harder than the distal end portion and does not exhibit rubber-like elasticity, such as metal or hard plastic. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the ultrasonic wave that hits the inner wall surface from being attenuated at the inner wall surface at the base end portion of the liquid reservoir, and the advantage that more powerful ultrasonic waves can be emitted from the opening of the distal end portion. There is.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples and the like.

  First, an ultrasonic toothbrush 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The ultrasonic toothbrush 100 is used to insert a head unit 150 into a human oral cavity and remove plaque and other plaques such as teeth and gums in the oral cavity. The ultrasonic toothbrush 100 includes a grasping portion 110 for grasping the toothbrush with fingers, a head portion 150 in which a hair bundle forming a brush is implanted, and an axial neck portion 120 connecting them.

Among them, a holding circuit board 112, a chemical tank 114, a liquid feed pump 116, a battery 117, and the like are built in a gripping part case 111 constituting the gripping part 110. The chemical liquid is controlled by the control of the driving circuit board 112. The liquid chemical stored in the tank 114 is supplied by the liquid feed pump 116 into the liquid chemical holding tube 174 (see FIG. 2) of the head section 150 through the liquid chemical supply tube 123 in the neck 120. A chemical solution (not shown) is appropriately replenished by the user from the chemical solution supply port 115 to the chemical solution tank 114. Further, the piezoelectric element 162 (see FIG. 2) is driven at about 3 MHz through the lead wire 166 in the neck portion 120 and the head portion 150 under the control of the driving circuit board 112.
The driving circuit board 112 liquid feed pump 116 and the like are driven by a battery 117, and the battery 117 is appropriately charged through the charging circuit 118.

The neck portion 120 has an axial shape, and includes a cylindrical neck case 121, a chemical solution supply tube 123 and a lead wire 166 inserted through the neck portion case 121.
Further, as described above, the head portion 150 is a portion inserted into the oral cavity, and as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, the head portion 150 forms a part of the liquid holding space SL described below at the center, and the rear space SR. And a brush-shaped brush main body 151 that holds the ultrasonic transducer 161, and a brush cup member 171 that is detachably attached to the brush main body 151.

The brush cup member 171 is made of ABS resin, and surrounds the brush body 151 so that it is planted in a ring shape on the brush base 172 attached thereto and the tip side surface 172F (upper surface in FIG. 3) thereof. A bundle of hairs 173 formed.
At the center of the brush cup member 171 (brush base 172), a chemical holding cylinder 174 having a form extending upward from the center of the brush base 172 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is disposed on the brush base 172. Yes. The inner wall surface 174W of the chemical solution holding cylinder 174, a part of the brush body 151 (liquid contact portion 151B), and a vibration plate 163 described later constitute a liquid holding space SL for holding the chemical solution inside. .

  The chemical solution holding cylinder 174 is made of silicone having rubber-like elasticity, and has a substantially truncated cone-shaped base end portion 174B positioned on the base end side (downward in FIG. 3), and a cylindrical tip extending from the base end portion 174B. Part 174T. At the base end portion 174B, the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 is bonded to the taper-shaped cup bonding surface 172W having a smaller diameter on the distal end side (upward in FIG. 3) of the brush base portion 172, and is fixed to the brush base portion 172. ing.

As described above, the inner wall surface 174BW of the base end portion 174B has a tapered shape toward the distal end side (upward in FIG. 3). In addition, the inner wall surface 151BW of the liquid contact portion 151B of the brush main body portion 151 has a shape following this. For this reason, the proximal end portion (the lower portion in FIG. 3) of the liquid holding space SL is tapered toward the distal end, that is, has a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space SL becomes smaller. In addition, the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H (8 mmφ) facing the liquid holding space SL in the diaphragm 163 and the base end inner wall surface 174BW form an angle α. That is, the base end portion 174B has a form in which the internal space (the base end side portion of the liquid holding space SL) has a truncated cone shape.
In the first embodiment, the angle α is 60 degrees.

On the other hand, in the chemical solution holding cylinder 174, the distal end portion 174T (outer diameter 4.5 mmφ) positioned on the distal end side with respect to the proximal end portion 174B has an inner wall surface 174TW having a cylindrical shape, and its diameter is the base. It is 2.5 mmφ which is the same as the end side end (upper bottom of the cone) of the end inner wall surface 174BW. For this reason, the tip side portion (the upper portion in FIG. 3) of the liquid holding space SL has a cylindrical shape, and has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the base end side portion of the liquid holding space SL. .
Note that, at the tip of the tip portion 174T, the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 opens the liquid holding space SL to the outside through the opening 174K.

  In this liquid holding space SL, the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid tank 114 (illustrated) is connected to the chemical liquid supply tube 152 and the chemical liquid supply passage 153 formed in the brush main body 151 from the chemical liquid supply port 152 that opens to the liquid holding space SL. Is not supplied by the liquid feed pump 116 by an appropriate amount, fills the liquid holding space SL, and further, the chemical liquid is supplied into the oral cavity from the opening 174K during use by the user.

An ultrasonic transducer 161 including a piezoelectric element 162 and a vibration plate 163 is disposed on the base end side (lower side in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 (liquid holding space SL). Among these, the piezoelectric element 162 is a disk-shaped piezoelectric element made of a known PZT ceramic, vibrates with the diaphragm 163 by a high frequency signal given from the driving circuit board 112 through the lead wire 166, and has a thickness of about 3 MHz. Ultrasonic vibration in a direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) is generated.
On the other hand, the diaphragm 163 is a resin plate having a slightly larger diameter (11 mmφ) than the piezoelectric element 162, specifically a disk made of ABS, and its peripheral portion is formed by insert molding on the brush main body 151 of the head unit 150. Is retained. Of the diaphragm 163, the side facing the liquid holding space SL is the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H. On the other hand, the above-described piezoelectric element 162 is bonded to the opposite bonding surface (lower surface in FIG. 2) 163S.
For this reason, the ultrasonic vibration generated in the piezoelectric element 162 is transmitted to the diaphragm 163, and the ultrasonic wave is radiated into the chemical liquid that is in contact with the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H and stored in the liquid holding space SL.

  In this ultrasonic toothbrush 100, the tooth surface and the plaque between the teeth and gums can be scraped off by the bristle bundle 173 of the brush cup member 171. Furthermore, in this ultrasonic toothbrush 100, after storing the chemical solution in the liquid holding space SL in the chemical solution holding cylinder 174, the head unit 150 is inserted into the oral cavity, and the opening 174K of the distal end portion 174T of the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 is inserted into the tooth. When the piezoelectric element 162 is driven at a high frequency, the ultrasonic wave is irradiated between the tooth surface and the teeth and gums through the chemical solution. Thereby, the dental surface and the plaque between the teeth and gums are peeled off, emulsified and removed. In particular, because the ultrasonic waves are directly applied to the teeth and gums through the chemical solution, it is difficult to remove with a normal brush by powerful ultrasonic waves. It can also remove dirt.

  By the way, in such an ultrasonic toothbrush 100, when the chemical liquid is accumulated in the liquid holding space S1 in the chemical liquid holding cylinder 174, since the chemical liquid is a load of the ultrasonic vibrator 161, the vibration is suppressed. It has been. For this reason, the temperature rise of the piezoelectric element 162 is also suppressed.

  However, when the ultrasonic toothbrush is being used or before and after use, the user places a large amount of the chemical in the liquid holding space SL from the opening surface at the tip of the chemical holding cylinder or the like by turning the tip of the chemical holding cylinder downward. There is a possibility that the whole amount may come off. As described above, when the ultrasonic vibrator 161 is driven even though there is no chemical in the liquid holding space SL, there is no chemical to be a load on the ultrasonic vibrator 161, and therefore the vibration is generated. It becomes extremely large without being suppressed. As a result, the piezoelectric element 162 itself may be destroyed, its characteristics may be deteriorated, or the bonded portion between the piezoelectric element 162 and the diaphragm 163 may be destroyed.

  Therefore, in the ultrasonic toothbrush 100 according to the first embodiment, the shape of the chemical liquid holding cylinder 174 constituting the liquid holding space SL on the inner wall is made to be more liquid at the distal end portion 174T than the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space SL at the base end portion 174B. The holding space SL has a small cross-sectional area. Specifically, as the shape of the liquid holding space SL, a shape in which the distal end side portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal end side portion, and the chemical solution in the liquid holding space SL is difficult to escape through the opening 174K on the distal end side. The shape is such that it is easy to keep the drug solution inside.

Accordingly, even when the user places the ultrasonic toothbrush 100 in various postures such as when the tip of the chemical liquid holding cylinder faces downward, the amount of the chemical liquid in the liquid holding space SL can be restricted from being discharged from the opening 174K. . Thus, there is no or almost no chemical in the liquid holding space SL, and the ultrasonic vibrator 161 (piezoelectric element 162) is driven without load and can be prevented from being destroyed.
On the other hand, the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the base end portion 174B can be made larger than the size (2.5 mmφ) of the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space SL at the distal end portion 174T of the chemical liquid holding cylinder 174. Since the contacting ultrasonic radiation surface 163H (8 mφ) can be made large, powerful ultrasonic waves can be generated using the ultrasonic transducer 161 having a larger diameter.

In the first embodiment, since the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 and the like have the above-described shape, the ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H travels linearly in a direction perpendicular to the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H, Powerful ultrasonic waves can be emitted from the opening 174K of the tip 174T of the chemical liquid holding cylinder 174. This is because the wall surface of the liquid reservoir is positioned around an axis AX (indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3) AX orthogonal to the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H, and a path through which ultrasonic waves can travel straight is secured. is there.
Moreover, in the first embodiment, the base end portion 174B of the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 and the liquid contact portion 151B of the brush main body portion 151 are such that the inner wall surface 174BW and the inner wall surface 151BW thereof are closer to the inner liquid holding space SL. The cross-sectional area is reduced to a shape. Specifically, it has a tapered shape so as to have an inner wall shape on the side surface of the truncated cone having a size of an upper base of 2.5 mmφ and a lower base of 8 mmφ. For this reason, in this portion, the ultrasonic vibration generated on the proximal end side can be efficiently transmitted to the distal end side.
In particular, in Example 1, the angle α formed by the inner wall surface 174BW of the base end portion 174B or the inner wall surface 151BW of the liquid contact portion 151B and the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H is set to 60 degrees, which is an angle of 45 degrees or more. For this reason, since the ultrasonic waves reflected once by the inner wall surfaces 171BW and 151BW can be further advanced to the tip side (upward in FIG. 3), the energy of the ultrasonic vibration is concentrated and the tip portion 174T A powerful ultrasonic wave can be emitted from the opening 174K.

  Next, an ultrasonic toothbrush 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ultrasonic toothbrush 200 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same shape and structure as the ultrasonic toothbrush 100 according to the first embodiment described above, and is mainly different only in the form of the chemical liquid holding cylinder 274 and the liquid holding space SL2. Therefore, different parts will be mainly described, and description of similar parts will be omitted or simplified.

  The ultrasonic toothbrush 200 (see FIG. 1) includes a gripping part 110, a neck part 120, and a head part 250 as in the first embodiment. Among these, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the head portion 250 forms a part of the liquid holding space SL <b> 2 described below at the center, has a rear space SR, and holds the ultrasonic transducer 161. And a brush cup member 271 attached to the brush body 251 so as to be detachable and replaceable.

The brush cup member 271 is made of ABS resin as in the first embodiment, and is planted in a ring shape on the brush base portion 272 attached to the brush body portion 251 and the tip side surface 272F (upper surface in FIG. 4) thereof. It consists of a hair bundle 273.
At the center of the brush cup member 271 (brush base 272), as in the first embodiment, a chemical holding cylinder 274 having a configuration extending upward from the center of the brush base 272 in FIG. It is installed. A liquid holding space SL2 is configured by the inner wall surface 274W of the chemical liquid holding cylinder 274, a part of the brush body 251 (liquid contact part 251B), and the vibration plate 163 of the ultrasonic vibrator 161.

  The chemical liquid holding cylinder 274 is made of silicone having rubber-like elasticity like the first embodiment, but its shape is slightly different so that it can be easily understood by comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. That is, the chemical liquid holding cylinder 274 is located on the base end side (lower side in FIG. 4), has a circular cross section, and has a tapered base end portion 274B that becomes smoother and has a smaller cross-sectional area toward the front end side (upper side in the figure). And a cylindrical tip portion 274T extending from the base end portion 274B. The chemical liquid holding cylinder 274 has a taper-shaped cup bonding surface 272 </ b> W that has a base end portion 274 </ b> B that conforms to the outer shape of the base end portion 274 </ b> B and has a smaller diameter on the tip side (upward in the drawing) of the brush base portion 272. Bonded and secured to the brush base 272.

As in the first embodiment, the inner wall surface 274BW of the base end portion 274B is tapered toward the distal end side (upward in FIG. 4), and the inner wall surface 251BW of the liquid contact portion 251B of the brush main body portion 251 is also the same. It is a shape that follows. For this reason, the base end side portion (the lower portion in FIG. 4) of the liquid holding space SL2 has a shape that tapers toward the tip side, that is, the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space SL2 becomes smaller.
In addition, the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H (8 mmφ) facing the liquid holding space SL2 and the proximal end inner wall surface 274BW of the diaphragm 163 form an angle α = 60 degrees. Therefore, in the base end portion 274B, the angle β formed by the parallel plane of the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H and the base end portion inner wall surface 274BW is β in each part of the internal space (the base end side portion of the liquid holding space SL2). = 60 degrees or more, and the tip side becomes a larger value.

Further, the tip end portion 274T (outer diameter 4.5 mmφ) of the chemical liquid holding cylinder 274 and the inner wall surface 274TW thereof have a cylindrical shape, and the diameter thereof is 2.5 mmφ which is the same as the distal end side end of the base end portion inner wall surface 274BW. Yes. For this reason, the tip side portion (the upper portion in FIG. 4) of the liquid holding space SL2 has a cylindrical shape, and the cross sectional area is smaller than the base end side portion of the liquid holding space SL2. .
Note that, at the tip of the tip portion 274T, the chemical solution holding cylinder 274 opens the liquid holding space SL2 to the outside through the opening 274K.

  On the base end side (lower side in FIGS. 2 and 4) of the chemical liquid holding cylinder 274 (liquid holding space SL2), an ultrasonic vibrator 161 including a piezoelectric element 162 and a vibration plate 163 similar to those in the first embodiment is disposed. Then, an ultrasonic vibration in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of about 3 MHz is generated.

Also in this ultrasonic toothbrush 200, after storing the chemical in the liquid holding space SL2 in the chemical holding cylinder 274, the head portion 250 is inserted into the oral cavity, and the tip 274T of the chemical holding cylinder 274 is attached to the tooth surface and teeth. These plaques can be removed by close contact between the gums and irradiation with ultrasonic waves.
Moreover, also in the ultrasonic toothbrush 200 of the second embodiment, the shape of the chemical liquid holding cylinder 274 has a shape in which the cross sectional area of the liquid holding space SL at the distal end portion 274T is smaller than the cross sectional area of the liquid holding space SL2 at the proximal end portion 274B. And the shape in which the chemical solution in the liquid holding space SL2 is difficult to escape through the opening 274K on the tip side. Thereby, even when the user places the ultrasonic toothbrush 200 in various postures, the ultrasonic vibrator 161 can be prevented from being broken due to no-load driving.
In addition, since the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at the base end portion 274B can be increased relative to the size (2.5 mmφ) of the cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space SL2 at the distal end portion 274T of the chemical liquid holding tube 274, the diameter is larger. A powerful ultrasonic wave can be generated using the ultrasonic vibrator 161.

Also in the second embodiment, since the chemical solution holding cylinder 274 and the like have the above-described shape, the ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H travels linearly in a direction perpendicular to the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H, A powerful ultrasonic wave can be emitted from the opening 274K.
Moreover, also in the second embodiment, the base end portion 274B of the chemical solution holding cylinder 274 and the liquid contact portion 251B of the brush main body 251 are such that the inner wall surface 274BW and the inner wall surface 251BW are closer to the inner liquid holding space SL. The taper has a tapered shape that reduces the cross-sectional area. For this reason, the ultrasonic vibration generated on the proximal end side can be efficiently transmitted to the distal end side.
In particular, in Example 2, the angle β formed by the inner wall surface 274BW of the base end portion 274B, the inner wall surface 251BW of the liquid contact portion 251B, and a plane parallel to the ultrasonic radiation surface 163H is 60 degrees or more at any location. It is designed to be an angle. In addition, the angle changes smoothly so that the angle β increases (approaches 90 degrees) as it advances toward the tip (upward in FIG. 4). For this reason, since the ultrasonic waves reflected by the inner wall surfaces 271BW and 251BW can be advanced more smoothly than the first embodiment to the tip side (upward in FIG. 4), the energy of ultrasonic vibration is concentrated. Thus, more powerful ultrasonic waves can be emitted from the opening 274K of the distal end portion 274T.

(Example)
Next, another embodiment (SL3 to SL8) of the liquid holding space shown as the liquid holding spaces SL and SL2 in the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.
As the form of the liquid holding space, the cross-sectional area on the distal end side (opening side) is smaller than the cross-sectional area on the base end side (ultrasonic transducer side), and the chemical solution held in this liquid holding space May be in a form that is difficult to escape from the opening.
For example, the liquid holding space SL3 shown in FIG. 5A has a so-called two-stage columnar shape roughly divided into two spaces (base end side space SL3B and tip end side space SL3T). That is, the proximal side space SL3B has a cylindrical shape, and the distal side space SL3T has a cylindrical shape that is coaxial with the proximal side space SL3B and has a smaller diameter. The liquid holding space SL3 also makes it difficult for the chemical liquid held in this space to escape from the opening K at the tip.

  Next, the liquid holding space SL4 shown in FIG. 5B has the same shape as the liquid holding space SL shown in the first embodiment, and is roughly divided into two spaces (base end side space SL4B and front end side space SL4T). In other words, it has a funnel-like shape. That is, the proximal end side space SL4B has a truncated cone shape, and the distal end side space SL4T is coaxial with the proximal end side space SL4B and has a cylindrical shape having the same diameter as the distal end side end (upper end in the figure) of the proximal end side space SL4B. I am doing. The liquid holding space SL4 also makes it difficult for the chemical liquid held in this space to escape from the opening K at the tip. In addition, by adopting this shape, it is possible to collect ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiation surface H and radiate more powerful ultrasonic waves from the opening K.

  Or it is good also as liquid holding space SL5 shown in FIG.5 (c). This liquid holding space SL5 is roughly divided into three spaces (base end side space SL5B, central portion space SL5M, tip end side space SL5T), and further to the liquid holding space SL4 (see FIG. 5B), A cylindrical base end space SL5B is added. That is, the base end side space SL5B has a cylindrical shape, the central portion space SL5B has a truncated cone shape that is coaxial with the central portion space SL5B, and the distal end side space SL4T is coaxial with these, and the distal end side end of the central portion space SL5B (see FIG. It has a cylindrical shape with the same diameter as the middle upper end). The liquid holding space SL5 also makes it difficult for the chemical liquid held in this space to escape from the opening K at the tip. In addition, by adopting this shape, it is possible to collect ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiation surface H and radiate more powerful ultrasonic waves from the opening K.

  Or it is good also as liquid holding space SL6 shown in FIG.5 (d). The liquid holding space SL6 has a truncated cone shape as a whole. The liquid holding space SL6 also makes it difficult for the chemical liquid held in this space to escape from the opening K at the tip. In addition, by adopting this shape, it is possible to collect ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiation surface H and radiate more powerful ultrasonic waves from the opening K.

  Further, a liquid holding space SL7 shown in FIG. The liquid holding space SL6 described above has a truncated cone shape in which the diameter (side surface) linearly decreases as it advances toward the distal end side in the axial direction (vertical direction in the drawing). On the other hand, the liquid holding space SL7 gradually decreases in diameter (side surface) as it advances toward the tip end side in the axial direction (vertical direction in the figure), but the side surface is formed by a curved surface that protrudes inward as a whole. It has a shape. The liquid holding space SL7 also makes it difficult for the chemical liquid held in this space to escape from the opening K at the tip. In addition, with this shape, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiation surface H can be collected more appropriately than the liquid holding space SL6 shown in FIG. it can.

  Moreover, it is good also as liquid holding space SL8 shown in FIG.5 (f). The liquid holding space SL8 is roughly divided into two spaces (base end side space SL8B, tip side space SL8T), and the tip side space SL4T of the liquid holding space SL4 shown in FIG. It has a shape. That is, the proximal end side space SL8B has a truncated cone shape, and the distal end side space SL8T also has a truncated cone shape that is coaxial with the proximal end side space SL8B and has the same bottom as the upper bottom of the proximal end side space SL8B. Yes. The liquid holding space SL8 also makes it difficult for the chemical liquid held in this space to escape from the opening K at the tip. In addition, by adopting this shape, it is possible to collect ultrasonic waves emitted from the radiation surface H and radiate more powerful ultrasonic waves from the opening K.

(Modifications 1 and 2)
Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the outer shape of the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 is in a form in which the thickness is constant in each part in accordance with the shape of the inner liquid holding space SL. For this reason, the outer shape of the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 is also generally frustoconical at the proximal end 174B and cylindrical at the distal end 174T.
By the way, the shape of the liquid holding space SL for holding the chemical liquid may be determined with reference to, for example, the above-described FIGS. On the other hand, the outer shape of the chemical liquid holding cylinder can be appropriately selected in consideration of the material of the chemical liquid holding cylinder, the form of the liquid holding space, the required softness, the ease of deformation, and the like.

  For example, in the ultrasonic toothbrush 300 shown in the first modification shown in FIG. 6 and the ultrasonic toothbrush 400 shown in FIG. 7, the inner wall surfaces 374W and 474W of the chemical liquid holding cylinders 374 and 474 and the The liquid holding space SL constituted by the sound wave emitting surface 163H and the like has the same form as the toothbrush 100 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3).

  However, in the first modification (see FIG. 6), the outer shape 374U of the chemical solution holding cylinder 374 is changed only in the portion located on the tip side (upward in the drawing) from the tip side surface 172F of the brush base 172, and the cylinder with the same diameter. Shaped. Accordingly, the tip end portion 374T of the chemical solution holding portion 374 is thick and the inner wall surface 374TW remains unchanged, but the outer peripheral surface 374TU is made larger than the chemical solution holding cylinder 174 of the first embodiment.

  Also in the second modification (see FIG. 7), the outer shape 474U of the chemical solution holding cylinder 474 is changed only in the portion located on the tip side (upward in the drawing) from the tip side surface 172F of the brush base 172, and the tip side (see FIG. The taper shape is such that the diameter becomes smaller toward the upper middle. Therefore, the shape of the inner wall surface 374W of the chemical solution holding 474 is not changed, but the outer peripheral surface 474TU is made thinner toward the tip side.

  By using these modified examples, the function of holding the chemical liquid in the liquid holding space SL of the chemical liquid holding cylinders 374 and 474 is not changed, but the material of the chemical liquid holding cylinders 374 and 474, the form at the time of deformation required, and the like Depending on the shape, it is possible to select an outer shape in consideration of softness, ease of deformation, and the like.

In the above, the present invention has been described according to the first and second embodiments, the form examples, and the first and second modifications. However, the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and the gist thereof is described. Needless to say, the present invention can be changed and applied as appropriate without departing from the scope.
For example, in the first and second embodiments, the present invention is applied to the ultrasonic toothbrushes 100 and 200 having the neck portion and the grip portion in addition to the head portions 150 and 250. However, an ultrasonic device including a liquid reservoir portion and an ultrasonic wave generation portion is provided. A sonic oral cleaning tool may be used, and the present invention can also be applied to a cleaning tool that does not include a neck or a grip.
In the first and second embodiments, the hair bundles 173 and 273 are implanted around the chemical solution holding cylinders 174 and 274. However, the cleaning tool may be configured such that no hair bundle is provided around the chemical solution holding cylinder.
In the first and second embodiments, the ultrasonic vibrator that generates 3 MHz ultrasonic waves has been described as an example. However, in consideration of the dimensions of each part and the like, ultrasonic waves having an appropriate frequency may be used. .
In the first and second embodiments, the head portions 150 and 250 are brush main bodies 151 and 251, and can be attached to and detached from the brush main body portions 151 and 251. The brush cups include the chemical liquid holding cylinders 174 and 274 and the hair bundles 173 and 273. An example including the parts 171 and 271 is illustrated. However, the present invention may be applied to a head portion in which a chemical solution holding tube, a hair bundle, and the like cannot be attached and detached. Further, the hair bundle can be attached and detached and exchanged, but the chemical solution holding cylinder can also be applied to an exchangeable one.
Further, in each of Examples 1 and 2 and Modifications 1 and 2, an example in which the entire chemical liquid holding cylinder 174 and the like are made of silicone having this elastic shape is shown, but the chemical liquid holding that directly contacts the teeth and gums is shown. The tip of the tube may be made of a material having rubber-like elasticity, and the other parts (base end, etc.) may be made of metal or hard resin.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the ultrasonic toothbrush concerning each Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the head part of the ultrasonic toothbrush concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an ultrasonic brush part among the head parts of the ultrasonic toothbrush concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an ultrasonic brush part among the head parts of the ultrasonic toothbrush concerning Example 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a liquid holding space among the ultrasonic toothbrushes of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an ultrasonic brush part among the head parts of the ultrasonic toothbrush concerning the modification 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an ultrasonic brush part among the head parts of the ultrasonic toothbrush concerning the modification 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100,200 Ultrasonic toothbrush (Ultrasonic oral cleaning tool)
110 Grasping part 120 Neck part 150, 250 Head part 151, 251 Brush body part 151B, 251B Liquid contact part (liquid reservoir part, tapered part)
151BW, 251BW (on the liquid contact side) inner wall surfaces 152, 252 Chemical liquid supply ports 153, 253 Chemical liquid supply path 161 Ultrasonic vibrator (ultrasonic generator)
162 Piezoelectric element (vibration element)
163 Vibration plate 163S Adhesion surface 163H Ultrasonic radiation surfaces 171 and 271 Brush cup members 172 and 272 Brush base portions 172F and 272F Tip side surfaces 172W and 272W Cup adhesion surfaces 173 and 273 Hair bundles 174, 274, 374 and 474 Reservoir)
174K, 274K, 374K, 474K Opening 174T, 274T, 374T, 474T Tip 174B, 274B, 374B, 474B Base end (base end, taper shape)
174W, 274W, 374W, 474W Inner wall surface 174TW, 274TW, 374TW, 474TW (at the distal end of the chemical holding cylinder) Inner wall surface 174BW, 274BW, 374BW, 474BW (at the proximal end of the chemical holding cylinder) Inner wall surface α Angle formed between the ultrasonic radiation surface and the base end inner wall surface β Angle formed between the surface parallel to the ultrasonic radiation surface and the base end inner wall surface SL, SL2, SL3, SL4, SL5, SL6, SL7, SL8 Holding space SR Rear space AX Axis

Claims (3)

A liquid reservoir that has a cylindrical shape, the tip side is open, and can hold liquid in the internal liquid holding space;
An ultrasonic generator disposed on the base end side of the liquid reservoir,
When holding the liquid in the liquid reservoir, it has an ultrasonic radiation surface in contact with the held liquid,
An ultrasonic generator that emits ultrasonic waves from this ultrasonic radiation surface;
With
The ultrasonic oral cleaning tool, wherein the liquid reservoir has a shape in which a cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at a distal end is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space at a base end. The ultrasonic oral cleaning tool according to claim 1,
The liquid reservoir is
An ultrasonic oral cleaning tool including a tapered portion having an inner wall shape in which a cross-sectional area of the liquid holding space decreases toward a tip side at least at a part. The ultrasonic oral cleaning tool according to claim 1 or 2,
The liquid reservoir is
An ultrasonic oral cleaning tool having at least a tip thereof made of a rubber-like elastic resin.

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